I bet that many of us sometimes feel as though we do
not have very much to offer or that what we have to offer is not
significant. Because we may have “neither silver nor gold”
or the ability to cure a person like the apostles, we shy away from
helping those around us thinking that someone else would be more
qualified or able. However, today’s readings suggest that
we should follow Peter and John’s example through acting in
a way that says, “What I do have, I give you” in an
attempt to offer our talents, knowledge, or time to someone in need.
Just as valuable as making a monetary donation is spending time
volunteering or offering to use a talent of ours for someone other
than ourselves.

In the same way that we should attempt to offer what we can to
those around us, we should also see how we too can grow through
the people we are helping. One of the core Jesuit values is the
idea that we should be “men and women for and with others.”
When I first came to Creighton I was confused by the “and
with” part of that value, but over time I have been taught
and realized that this is the most important part. Service with
a mindset of only helping others and not gaining anything from them
is mildly arrogant. So yes, we should do things for another person,
however by growing and gaining with that other person we build a
sense of humble solidarity and the service suddenly becomes a two-way
street.

Today’s Gospel offers one major way we can gain from helping
another person. Just as the two disciples were challenged to recognize
God in their traveling companion, we too are challenged to keep
a watchful eye for God’s presence in those around us. “Were
our hearts not burning?” they asked after they had spent the
day with Jesus. We should also, in some sense, feel a burning in
our hearts because of the presence of God in everyone around us.

The disciples’ eyes were opened only when Jesus revealed
himself to them through the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist.
Too often I find myself going through the motions at Mass and, I’m
sad to say, not fully and completely appreciating the beautiful
mystery and overwhelming power of the Eucharist. This should be
the easiest place for us to notice, feel, and experience God.

In what way is God trying to communicate with you through someone
else? Regardless of whom you interact with today, try to seek God
in that person.